I became acquainted with Elena Gorsheneva in April, 2007 during a weeklong art course called “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain”. I told her that my friend, Michael Koy and I were taking acting classes at the George St. Playhouse in New Brunswick, NJ. I introduced her to Michael over lunch one afternoon. She mentioned that she would be taking a course at the Digital Film Academy and would like us to audition for her student film. We auditioned and I got the part of the German Reporter and Michael got the part of the police officer. This would be my first acting gig and I was definitely up for the challenge.

However, I never spoke German (more…)

Yeah it’s true. Elena is one of the best filmmaker. She has a great talent. She did everything on her film: directing, producing, writing, editing, drawing, composing and more-more! Even she did great special effects. That was wonderful! I’m very happy that I took part on her film as camera operator.

Thank You Elena!

Alisher Mirzoev

What is this RED TOMATOES CROSSWALK filmmaking challenge for me?

by Elena Gorsheneva

Everybody knows that ghosts always speak truth. Steve’s taboo for red tomatoes is based on his Grandmother’s ghost statement that they are grown by aliens on satellites. But why would aliens do that here and not, say, somewhere near Sirius? Perhaps in this remote corner of our Galaxy the space is cheaper?

Basically, this is a question for a producer. (more…)

by Elena Gorsheneva

Rob Hunter played the lead role of Steve. This absolutely non-heroic role of tormented eighteen-old boy required from Rob really heroic effort. He had to fall on concrete in front of the car, to cover his face with mashed tomatoes, and oh horror! to keep this goo on for a long time licking it off by tiny little drop at a time.

Here>> you can read more about Rob Hunter and watch some footage that was not included into final cut.

Here>> you can read more about Steve and watch a short scene from the film.

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What is this RED TOMATOES CROSSWALK filmmaking challenge for me?

by Elena Gorsheneva

<<Introduction

Filmmaking course includes writing, producing, directing, shooting, editing and web-publishing my own movie. What’s so hard about it? I invited my friends Michael and Philomena to play this exciting game together with me. Here’s what I’ve written to them: “You know - I have some problem with English language. And I don’t very well know how the “real” American people live. Of course, I watch TV and listen to the radio and I don’t really need anything more than a keyboard for writing a story, but now it’s hard for me to express what I have to tell through the language of my characters”.
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What is this RED TOMATOES CROSSWALK filmmaking challenge for me?

by Elena Gorsheneva

I was going to take the 15 weeks Digital Filmmaking course at Digital Film Academy.

In the beginning I was driven by the naïve dream of finding a place - a job and people - just like I had in Russia. I arrived to this country in 2006 and this needs to be taken into consideration. And so I found the Digital Film Academy and began to study exactly with that goal in mind. (more…)

Working with Elena and everyone was a blast. I was thingking how it takes a lot to make people stop and look in New York City, but we certainly drew spectators with our comotion and costumes. The expression on peoples faces when they see a cop sprawled out with a toilet on his head is priceless. I think their next thought is”man, I’d like to see this movie!”

Nick Denning

When I first audition for Elena & Ilya it actually was with another actor which I didn’t expect. Yet I was very excited. (more…)

As a beginning actor, Red Tomatoes Crosswalk was my first real acting gig, so I didn’t know quite what to expect. What made a lasting impression on me were Elena’s professionalism, dedication, and focus.

When I first read the script, several suggestions came to mind for improving the English (Elena’s native language is Russian), but I didn’t know whether I was overstepping any boundaries by coming to her with re-writes. There was one word in one of my lines, however, that clearly needed to be changed, and Elena readily accepted my suggestion. When the policeman approaches the vegetable vendor on the sidewalk, the script originally had me saying, “You are a germ of street disorder. There’s no space to walk through here.�

Hmm. (more…)

CHARACTERS

Steve		Rob Hunter
Designer		Nick Denning
Grandmother, Steve’s inner voice		Dennis Hurley
Car dealer		Marlon Dow
Vegetable vendor Quetzalcoatl		Pamela Ehn
Criminal reporter		Philomena Zito
Police officer		Michael Koy

More about CHARACTERS >>